Lubeluzole shows neuroprotective effects in an "in-vitro"-model for neuronal lesions in the chicken retina

In this study, the isolated chicken retina was used as an "in-vitro"-model for investigation of neuronal lesions to show the neuroprotective effects o f lubeluzole. Lubeluzole is a neuroprotective compound that has been shown to stereoselectively rescue sensorimotor function and reduce infarct size i n photochemical stroke models in rats. In the retina, the typical cell swel ling of a developing lesion is accompanied by a very strong intrinsic optic al signal (IOS), occurring simultaneous with the electrical signal which is based on changes in light scattering. In the presented model, lesions were elicited electrically with a tungsten microelectrode (0.1 M Omega). The de gree of damage was evaluated with optical methods by measuring area and bri ghtness of the affected tissue. Lubeluzole was much more effective in reduc ing the growth of the lesions than its R-isomer. However, both compounds en hanced the possibility of the neuronal tissue to recover after excitotoxic stimuli. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.